"Art Quilter" Aspiring to "Author"

This year I have submitted two articles to magazines and had success with them.  I hope to continue writing and submitting and would like to have something published in Quilting Arts and Machine Quilting Unlimited magazines.  The most difficult part of the process is deciding on a topic that would be of interest to those particular magazines.  Sometimes I feel like a novice at what I do which causes me to think, "who am I to tell anyone the way do to things???".  The two articles that are being published are both of interest to people who are new to art quilting and the magazines were interested in that aspect of them.

So, now I am struggling to figure out what I know that someone else would want to read about.  What do I know enough about to teach someone else in a 3-5 page magazine article?

My work is somewhat varied but I believe I have a style that makes my body of work cohesive.  I know that people who know my work can usually identify it in a quilt show or gallery.  I use heavy quilting using many different threads, quite often beading, and have a unique way with color.  Many of my pieces are collage style using raw edge applique, but I also do pieces that incorporate leaves, trees, sometimes landscapes, and other nature related imagery and themes.  In preparing for the show I have next month I have been doing a lot of "wholecloth" pieces using fabric that I created by dyeing or painting fabric in various methods.  Some are quilting only, others have embellishments on them like beads and suede.  All during the process I have been thinking about what I could teach someone about what I do.  I'm still thinking...

I think my goal with writing about my work is to inspire and motivate other artists to create art.  I love getting feedback from people when they see my work and wish they could do the same thing, or something similar. They feel energized and excited about creating something and I feel honored that what I do makes them feel that way.  If I can write an article and include some images of my work that spurs someone on to fulfill their desire to create art and maybe "be like me", I'm happy.  I absolutely love what I do and can't get enough of it so I love sharing that with others.  Ever since I was a kid I've always wanted everyone to be happy so doing something that helps people feel that way is, as Martha says, "a good thing!"

Once I get my show off the ground in September I will be returning to my laptop to try to write more articles. Watch for my first one to appear in The Quilt Life magazine in their October issue.  It is about Strata Art Quilts which are what I call long narrow quilts composed of varied width strips of fabric.  It's a great style of art quilt for beginners or for those, like me, who like to take a break from challenging projects to do something fun and beautiful that doesn't take a whole lot of time.

Montana Bricolage Artists Present....

My art group, the Montana Bricolage Artists (MBA), will be showing our new group show entitled "Reflections" at Montana Art and Framing in Missoula, Montana for the month of August.  The opening reception will be the evening of Friday, August 2 from 5-9pm.  The gallery is located at 709 Ronan Street and you can find directions on their website at


The parameters of the show were that they pieces need to be two parts on a black background.  I believe there are some deviations from this, but we are not big on rules anyways!  The theme of "Reflections" has been interpreted and protrayed in many different guises for this show and that will make it very interesting. This group of highly skilled artists has again created a show worth viewing.

Below is the piece that I created for the show which is 45" x 45".  The two half circles were quilted separately and then mounted onto a quilted black background piece so the entire piece is rather hefty.  The title is "What I See, What You See".  When I was first thinking of ideas for this show I kept picturing a person looking at their reflection in the mirror and thinking about how they might see something different from what is actually there (maybe better, maybe worse depending on their frame of mind), and even different than other people might see it.  Since I am not very skilled at creating realistic imagery, I chose to portray this concept using one of my favorite motifs--a tree.

I love the stark beauty of the left side in all black and white with some beading highlighting it.  The other side is much more flamboyant---not how I would ever view myself, but maybe how I would like to be viewed at times. We all have an image we wish we could portray or wish we were, and then there is the reality of what you are and then how others perceive you.  What is reality, what is contrived, what is at the heart, what is on the surface...  A reflection can be so much more than just a mirror image of something.  You can reflect about something, you can reflect a distorted image like when water ripples a lake, you can reflect light, you can use a mathematical reflection formula, you can reflect on the past.

So, if you are in the area come and see our new show!

Our previous show, "The 'Trunk' Show" which was long narrow "trees" suspended from the ceiling, is currently at the Paris Gibson Square Museum in Great Falls Montana.  It will travel to Helena and be shown for three months at the Holter Museum and we have just recently had an inquiry about sending it to Provo, Utah to be shown in their library in a new 3000 sq. ft. gallery space they have there.

I also would like to mention that I will be having a solo exhibition at River's Mist Gallery in Stevensville, Montana in September with a reception on First Friday, September 6 from 6-9pm.  This will be mostly new work, but also highlighting some of my recently published work.

I will be sending three pieces to the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma, Washington in September and then two other pieces to the LaConner Quilt Festivaal in LaConner, Washington in October.  Also look for my first published technique article in The Quilt Life Magazine in their October issue.  The article is "Strata Art Quilts" and is a great technique for those wanting to get into art quilting as well as those like me who just need the occasional break from challenging fiber projects to have some fun.  Lots of pictures in this article and they did a great job with it.  American Quilter Magazine will be publishing another article of mine probably in 2014 but I don't know quite when yet.

All exciting stuff and it makes for a busy summer for me!

As always, you can see some of my work for sale at The Artist's Shop in Missoula, Montana, River's Mist Gallery in Stevensville, Montana, and Art City in Hamilton, Montana.

Whew!

Inspiration Fieldtrip to Wildlife Refuge

I am involved with a group called "Tarts" (short for textile arts) that meets once a month to share about fiber art.  One month we have a fieldtrip somewhere and the next month we bring something we have made inspired by that fieldtrip.  There are about 10 or 12 people in my group and we have a great time.  Last month, May, we had a fieldtrip to Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge which is practically right in my neighborhood.  We walked a trail and took pictures and then went to the Visitor Center.  This month we had our meeting and some of us shared pieces we had made.  I put mine together the afternoon before the meeting so it was fairly simple but I was happy with how it turned out.  I think everyone who had a piece made it the weekend before the meeting so I wasn't the only one!  

I had wanted to print some of my images onto fabric to include in my piece, but the computer/printer would not cooperate.  Of course if I had started working on it earlier in the month maybe I would have been able to do that, but with so little time I decided to go with what I did.  The piece is 8" x 14" (not including the hanger) and the little silver turtle beads are a mere 5/8" from nose to tail.  They are out of proportion with the reeds, but I couldn't resist using them on the piece because they are so adorable.  I don't usually worry too much about proportion or making things look perfect in my work anyways---artistic license you know!

Here are some pictures that I took at the refuge on that beautiful day in May.  The hen turkey had a number of tiny chicks that are all around her in the grass but you can't even see them in my photographs they are so small and camouflaged!  The small art quilt I made was inspired by the picture with the log which did not have turtles on it that morning, but I know they hang out there quite regularly!

Here are some pictures of the piece I made, inspired by the photo above and previous visits to the refuge (which is very near my home).  I always drive slowly past the ponds hoping for a glimpse through the reeds of the turtles perched on the logs on the pond edge before they slip into the water at the sound of my vehicle approaching.

The rocks, reeds and water are felt, and the sky is Osnaburg that has been colored with fabric pastel crayons.  The rocks are stuffed.  A wonderful nubby yarn was couched around the piece for a rustic edge finish.  Actually I used the blue twine that the hanger is on to go around the piece first for a little bit of stability and then couched the yarn to that.

I find much inspiration for my work in the nature that surrounds me here in western Montana.  Thank goodness for digital cameras that allow me to snap unlimited photos for future reference and use in creating something from fiber that reflects the beauty in the varied landscapes.  My work is mostly abstract and non-representational, but color, form, and texture are quite borrowed from nature.  I often use recognizable motifs in my work such as leaves, trees, and other flora.

What's Next?

"Tweeting About The Setting Sun"

The above image is my donation to the Studio Art Quilt Associates 2013 on-line auction.  All the auction pieces are 12"x 12" and the auction begins on September 9.  The pieces start at $750 and each day go down until they are at $75.  My piece is on page 2A and will be auctioned during the 2nd round which starts September 16.  You can find more info on the website: http://www.saqa.com/news.php?ID=1186  

All of the fabrics in this piece were created by me with various techniques including stamping, soy wax batik, and dyeing.  I did not create the bird embroidery, but I really liked how it worked with the piece.


I'm going through a transitional year in 2013, and I am not sure about my direction.  My goal for my first five years in this endeavor was to get my name out there by entering shows, getting my work in galleries, and maybe getting my work published in a magazine.  Check, check, check.  Now I have to determine what direction I want to take next with my work/business.  Options that I am pondering include writing articles for magazines, finding galleries for my work outside my state, making larger pieces that might get into more art/fiber art shows, teaching, and pursuing lecture opportunities in my state (Montana).
I have wanted to try to get my work into a gallery that is outside of my region for quite a while but am not sure how to go about it.  How do you find a place you trust that is right for your work and then how best to go about approaching them.  Do I need to have a physical portfolio of my work, do I go and personally show them my work, do I make sure my website is up-to-date and rely on that for self-promotion?  I can't afford the time or money to travel around peddling my work to galleries that may or may not be what I want for my art.  If I look for somewhere that has shown itself to be willing to show fiber art am I horning in on some other fiber artist's locale?   This is all the more complicated when I start to look at other states because of the number of galleries out there.  Where do I start?

I have already tackled one of these subjects this year successfully.  I have a magazine article that is going to be published in The Quilt Life magazine later this year.  I also have a 2nd article that is being considered by American Quilter but I have not heard from them yet.  I have had a very positive response to my writing from these editors so that is very encouraging.  It could be a very lucrative direction, but I find it time consuming and it takes away from studio time.  How much time and effort do I devote to this aspect of my business?

I think that when my article comes out I should try to peddle that topic as a class in a local quilt shop and see what interest there is.  I think I am ready to do a little teaching, as long as it doesn't take over my life at this point.  I still have a young son to devote time to so I'm not as free as this effort might require.  Local classes shouldn't be much of a problem, but if I have to travel that will be difficult.

Here are detail and full quilt images of a small piece I recently created.  The base is wholecloth batik fabric which I stamped multiple times with a single (commercial) floral image rubber stamp using copper acrylic paint.  Then I used free motion quilting to complete the piece, added tabs at the top and a facing for the edges.  It is called "Reverie" and is currently hanging in The Artist's Shop cooperative gallery in Missoula, Montana along with a number of other pieces of mine.

"Reverie"

I decided I had better write a blog post since I have been neglecting it.  It follows my productivity with my art as I have been rather lackluster in that effort since my show in September.  I have made a few pieces, but not as many as I would like!   I'm known for being productive, but these last few months have been rather slow...

This first piece is one I recently finished and it is called "Reaching For The Sky".  I had a roll of 1/4 yard cuts (not fat quarters) of a particular fabric line and the border print I used here was one of them.  I love the abstract flowers and the lovely blue sky.  The border print actually includes the sky and the multi-colored "ground" below the flowers. This is one of what I call "Strata Art Quilts" which are long and narrow and fun to do.  I usually do a lot of quilting and beading on them, and this one is no exception.  I will be hanging this in the "Essence of Spring" biennial flower art show at River's Mist Gallery here in Stevensville, Montana in February.  Numerous artists and medium will be represented in this lovely show that brightens up a dreary February!

I love how the orange-dyed stone beads on the bottom row of dangles is so similar to the Lonni Rossi fabric that I used in that section.  I couldn't not use them they were so perfect!  I used some beads with light blue on them to bring some of the sky color down to the lower section of the piece.  This helps draw the eye to discover all the details of the artwork.

The next piece, entitled "Breathe Deeply", is one I "finished" this fall after a couple of years of trying to make it work!  I started with the silk organza fabric that runs vertically on the left side and has the large beads on it.  This was a piece that I had painted and the colors of the quilt were influenced by this fabric.  

I haven't been able to get this piece to look finished and "right".  I added the green rectangular applique pieces as an attempt to put in some blocks of color that weren't busy, but I'm not sure that helped, or was even effective.  I like the dangles at the top, but I'm not sure they do anything for the piece.  I like all the elements of the piece and the fabrics and embellishments used, I just don't think it works well in the whole.  There is no focal point which might be ok, but I wish I had not used such boldly graphic fabrics that probably distract from the silk piece which I wanted to highlight.  

I don't think I will do anything more to this piece and will chalk it up to being one of my less successful works.  As a result it will have a lower price on it and someone will get a bargain for all the work I did trying to get it to be more successful!  I tend to include a factor of how successful I think a piece is in my pricing which relates to how much I would be willing to part with it for.  If I like it, it will cost more!

The last two pictures are two that I took this fall and are so nostalgic for that season that I may use them in a piece sometime.  I love the shiny tomatoes with the aging dullness of the apples and the dried dill seedhead.  You can almost taste the flavors!

And the beautiful pink fall flowers were such a joy in the waning days of summer and into the autumn when everything else was turning to gold and brown.  I think of them now and look forward to the color that is Spring in the next few months----usually a long time for us here in Montana!  Both of these images invoke such memories of color, scent, and the feel of the crisp autumn air that I'm pretty sure they will find their way into a piece one of these days!

A couple of exciting things have happened for me in the last few months.  I had two pieces selected as Finalists in the Fiber:  Art Quilt category of the NICHE Awards.  These awards are for high end craft including jewelry, glass, wood, fiber, etc.  If you go to their website at you will see some examples of the quality workmanship they select.  I was honored to have one of my pieces pictured in the Winter issue of their magazine where they list the finalists and show selected imagery of the work.  They will be awarding the winners in February in Philadelphia.  

Also I have had an article accepted to be published by a major quilt magazine and I'm very excited about this.  I have been working with them the last couple of months to get them images for the article which will probably be published in Fall of 2013.  They were very positive about my writing so you know that was encouraging and will likely spur me to write and submit more.  The subject of the article is definitely something that would make a good class, so I'm hoping there might be some local interest in that.  I'm not going to elaborate right now until I know it is going to print, but I will give more details when I know something for sure.  

Anyone who is in the Hamilton, Montana area should be sure to stop by the fiber art show, An Affair of the Heart, in Hamilton on February 15-17.  I'll have a number of pieces on display as will many other fiber artists from the Missoula/Bitterroot area.  The show/sale is on the 200 block of 2nd Street--one block south of Main Street.  

Thanks for dropping by my blog---come again!!  

Sunny Disposition

After my gallery show in September and working all summer to get new pieces done I was ready to create something fun and not too challenging.  I created this piece called "Sunny Disposition" and had fun quilting and beading it.  It is such a bright spot on my wall in these every darkening days of fall and winter!

I started with the sunflower print and chose fabrics and beads to compliment it.  The blue splotchy fabric looks like a painted/dyed piece but is actually a commercial cotton print.   The yellow fabric just below center is a piece that I had previously painted.

 

I love adding dangles of beads to quilts. Even though a quilt hangs rather statically on the wall, the dangles seem to add a sense of movement and they catch the light in interesting ways. Using multiple shapes and types of beads in a dangle creates interest and really adds to the way they catch the light. I change the order and combination of beads in the dangles just maintaining a general colorway and types of beads for a cohesive design. 

As you walk by the piece the different beads are highlighted depending on how the light shines on or through them. On this piece there are translucent glass leaves and seed beads that make lovely shimmery dangles that you just can't resist giving a little push so you can see them sway.

   

I used one of my machine stitches to create a line of tiny flowers on one of the very narrow strips. I find this uses a lot of thread, is time consuming, and is somewhat tedious. I do like the look of it but I find the free motion stitching much more fun!

I love the way the beading turned out on the sunflowers. Originally I was going to heavily bead the centers of the flowers, but then I thought of this plan and am very happy with it.

I added a narrow dark blue flat piping to the binding for a nice detail. I believe I used 8 different fabrics for this piece, not including the piping and binding (fabrics which are not used in the body of the piece).

Autumn Inspiration

It is autumn in Montana and deer have now been given free rein of our yard and gardens.  All summer we have been chasing them away so they don't eat our vegies and flowers, but now that the growing season has wound down they are doing some clean up for us.

I believe there were about 12 in this group.  Most of the does in this area seemed to have twins this year, and they insisted on bringing them into our fenced yard (usually through the front gate which was open) and then they couldn't get out when we chased them.  They would eventually find a way over the fence but it was rather disturbing to watch them ram the fence until they finally would attempt the jump.   They rarely had enough memory to go back to the gate where they came in!

 

 I couldn't resist the early morning light that was giving them a lovely halo effect.  They are standing in my raised vegie garden.   One or more of these images will likely make its way into one of my art quilts this winter.